Syllabus
Cambridge O Level
Business Studies 7115
For examination in June and November 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Version 3
Please check the syllabus page at www.cambridgeinternational.org/olevel
to see if this syllabus is available in your administrative zone.
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Contents
1 Why choose this syllabus? ..................................................................................................... 2
2 Syllabus overview .................................................................................................................... 5
Aims
5
Content overview
6
Assessment overview
7
Assessment objectives
8
3 Subject content .......................................................................................................................10
4 Details of the assessment ....................................................................................................22
Paper 1 – Short Answer and Data Response
22
Paper 2 – Case Study
22
Command words
23
5 What else you need to know .............................................................................................. 24
Before you start
24
Making entries
25
After the exam
26
How students and teachers can use the grades
26
Grade descriptions
26
Changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022
27
Changes to this syllabus
For information about changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022, go to page 27.
The latest syllabus is version 3, published December 2019. There are no significant changes which affect
teaching.
Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2015 are still suitable for use with this
syllabus.
Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
1 Why choose this syllabus?
Key benefits
Cambridge O Level syllabuses are created especially for international students. For over 25 years, we have worked
with schools and teachers worldwide to develop syllabuses that are suitable for different countries, different types
of schools and for learners with a wide range of abilities. These qualifications are designed for students whose first
language may or may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination process.
Cambridge O Level Business Studies is accepted by universities and employers as proof of an understanding of
business concepts and techniques across a range of different types of businesses. Learners will be able to:
•• understand different forms of business organisations, the environments in which businesses operate and
business functions such as marketing, operations and finance
•• appreciate the role of people in business success.
They will also gain lifelong skills, including:
•• the ability to calculate and interpret business data
•• communication skills needed to support arguments with reasons
•• the ability to analyse business situations and reach decisions or judgements.
Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills
learners need for their next steps in education or employment.
Our approach encourages learners to be:
Cambridge
learner
‘Cambridge O Level has helped me develop thinking and analytical skills which will go a long way
in helping me with advanced studies.’
Kamal Khan Virk, former student at Beaconhouse Garden Town Secondary School, Pakistan, who went on to study Actuarial Science at
the London School of Economics
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Why choose this syllabus?
Recognition and progression
The combination of knowledge and skills in Cambridge O Level Business Studies gives learners a solid foundation
for further study. Candidates who achieve grades A* to C are well prepared to follow a wide range of courses
including Cambridge International AS & A Level Business.
Cambridge O Levels are accepted and valued by leading universities and employers around the world as evidence of
academic achievement. Many universities require a combination of Cambridge International AS & A Levels and
Cambridge O Levels or equivalent to meet their entry requirements.
Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/recognition
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Why choose this syllabus?
Supporting teachers
We provide a wide range of practical resources, detailed guidance, and innovative training and professional
development so that you can give your learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge O Level.
Teaching resources
Exam preparation resources
• School Support Hub
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
• Question papers
• Syllabus
• Scheme of work
• Example candidate responses to understand
what examiners are looking for at key grades
• Learner guide
• Examiner reports to improve future teaching
• Mark schemes
• Discussion forum
• Resource list
• Endorsed textbooks and digital resources
Training
• Face-to-face workshops around the world
• Online self-study training
• Online tutor-led training
• Cambridge Professional Development
Qualifications
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Support for
Cambridge
O Level
Community
You can find useful information, as well as
share your ideas and experiences with other
teachers, on our social media channels and
community forums.
Find out more at
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
2 Syllabus overview
Aims
The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.
The aims are to enable students to:
•• apply their knowledge and critical understanding to current issues and problems in a wide range of business
contexts
•• make effective use of relevant terminology, concepts and methods, and recognise the strengths and limitations
of the ideas used in business
•• distinguish between facts and opinions, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data in order to help build
arguments and make informed judgements
•• appreciate the perspectives of a range of stakeholders in relation to the business environment, individuals,
society, government and enterprise
•• develop knowledge and understanding of the major groups and organisations within and outside business, and
consider ways in which they are able to influence objectives, decisions and activities
•• develop knowledge and understanding of how the main types of businesses are organised, financed and
operated, and how their relations with other organisations, consumers, employees, owners and society are
regulated
•• develop skills of numeracy, literacy, enquiry, selection and use of relevant sources of information, presentation
and interpretation
•• develop an awareness of the nature and significance of innovation and change within the context of business
activities
•• acquire a foundation for further study of business or other subjects.
Support for Cambridge O Level Business Studies
Our School Support Hub www.cambridgeinternational.org/support provides Cambridge schools with a
secure site for downloading specimen and past question papers, mark schemes, grade thresholds and other
curriculum resources specific to this syllabus. The School Support Hub community offers teachers the
opportunity to connect with each other and to ask questions related to the syllabus.
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Syllabus overview
Content overview
1 Understanding business activity
This section introduces the underlying ideas and concepts of business and includes the purpose and nature of
business activity and how businesses can be classified. Enterprise and entrepreneurs, and why some businesses
grow while others remain small are further important issues. How business size can be measured, types of
business organisation, business objectives and stakeholder objectives are the concluding topics.
2 People in business
The focus is the functional area of human resources and includes the importance and methods of motivating a
workforce. How businesses are organised and managed and the methods of recruitment, selection and training
of employees are also considered. Finally, the section covers the importance and methods of effective internal
and external communication.
3 Marketing
This section includes the role of marketing, the distinctions between niche and mass markets and the
techniques of market segmentation. The methods and importance of market research are covered. The central
role of the marketing mix, i.e. the four Ps, is made clear. Marketing strategies to influence consumer decisions
at home and in new foreign markets are the final topics in this section.
4 Operations management
The focus is the functional area of production and includes the meaning and methods of production and how
productivity can be increased. The different costs of production and break-even analysis are covered. The
section concludes with the importance and methods of achieving quality in the production process and location
decisions of businesses.
5 Financial information and decisions
This finance and accounting section covers the need for and sources of business finance, cash-flow forecasting
and working capital. Simple income statements are covered as well as statements of financial position and the
analysis of accounts including why and how accounts are used.
6 External influences on business activity
This section focuses on different external influences on business activity and how these impact on a business.
It includes government influences on economic, environmental and ethical issues and how they impact on
the functional areas of businesses. In addition, the international economy including globalisation and its
effects on businesses and governments, multinational businesses and exchange rates are important issues.
Legal constraints are an external influence to be considered but these influences are covered in the relevant
functional areas above, as well as in this last section.
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Syllabus overview
Assessment overview
All candidates take two papers.
All candidates take:
Paper 1
and:
1 hour 30 minutes
Short Answer and Data Response
50%
Paper 2
1 hour 30 minutes
Case Study
50%
80 marks
80 marks
Four questions requiring a mixture of short
answers and structured data responses
Four questions based on a case study, provided
as an insert with the paper
Candidates answer all questions
Candidates answer all questions
Externally assessed
Externally assessed
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Syllabus overview
Assessment objectives
The assessment objectives (AOs) are:
AO1 Knowledge and understanding
•• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of facts, terms, concepts, conventions, theories and techniques
commonly applied to or used as part of business behaviour.
AO2 Application
•• apply knowledge and understanding of facts, terms, concepts, conventions, theories and techniques.
AO3 Analysis
•• distinguish between evidence and opinion in a business context
•• order, analyse and interpret information in narrative, numerical and graphical forms, using appropriate
techniques.
AO4 Evaluation
•• present reasoned explanations, develop arguments, understand implications and draw inferences
•• make judgements, recommendations and decisions.
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Syllabus overview
Weighting for assessment objectives
The approximate weightings allocated to each of the assessment objectives (AOs) are summarised below.
Assessment objectives as a percentage of the qualification
Assessment objective
Weighting in O Level %
AO1 Knowledge and understanding
40
AO2 Application
20
AO3 Analysis
25
AO4 Evaluation
15
Assessment objectives as a percentage of each component
Assessment objective
Weighting in components %
Paper 1
Paper 2
AO1 Knowledge and understanding
50
30
AO2 Application
20
20
AO3 Analysis
20
30
AO4 Evaluation
10
20
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
3 Subject content
In all of the following, candidates are required to apply their understanding to a variety of simple business
situations. Candidates should be able to make simple decisions based upon the analysis and evaluation of
information provided.
1
Understanding business activity
1.1
Business activity
1.1.1The purpose and nature of business activity:
•• Concepts of needs, wants, scarcity and
opportunity cost
•• Importance of specialisation
•• Purpose of business activity
•• The concept of adding value and how added
value can be increased
1.2
Classification of businesses
1.2.1Business activity in terms of primary, secondary
and tertiary sectors:
•• Basis of business classification, using examples to
illustrate the classification
•• Reasons for the changing importance of business
classification, e.g. in developed and developing
economies
1.2.2Classify business enterprises between private
sector and public sector in a mixed economy
1.3
Enterprise, business growth and size
1.3.1Enterprise and entrepreneurship:
•• Characteristics of successful entrepreneurs
•• Contents of a business plan and how business
plans assist entrepreneurs
•• Why and how governments support business
start-ups, e.g. grants, training schemes
1.3.2The methods and problems of measuring
business size:
•• Methods of measuring business size, e.g. number
of people employed, value of output, capital
employed (profit is not a method of measuring
business size)
•• Limitations of methods of measuring business
size
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
1.3.3Why some businesses grow and others remain
small:
•• Why the owners of a business may want to
expand the business
•• Different ways in which businesses can grow
•• Problems linked to business growth and how
these might be overcome
•• Why some businesses remain small
1.3.4Why some (new or established) businesses fail:
•• Causes of business failure, e.g. lack of
management skills, changes in the business
environment, liquidity problems
•• Why new businesses are at a greater risk of failing
1.4
Types of business organisation
1.4.1The main features of different forms of
business organisation:
•• Sole traders, partnerships, private and public
limited companies, franchises and joint ventures
•• Differences between unincorporated businesses
and limited companies
•• Concepts of risk, ownership and limited liability
•• Recommend and justify a suitable form of
business organisation to owners/management in
a given situation
•• Business organisations in the public sector,
e.g. public corporations
1.5
Business objectives and stakeholder objectives
1.5.1Businesses can have several objectives and the
importance of them can change:
•• Need for business objectives and the importance
of them
•• Different business objectives, e.g. survival,
growth, profit and market share
•• Objectives of social enterprises
1.5.2The role of stakeholder groups involved in
business activity:
•• Main internal and external stakeholder groups
•• Objectives of different stakeholder groups
•• How these objectives might conflict with each
other, use examples
1.5.3Differences in the objectives of private sector
and public sector enterprises
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
2
People in business
2.1
Motivating employees
2.1.1The importance of a well-motivated workforce:
•• Why people work and what motivation means
•• The benefits of a well-motivated workforce:
labour productivity, reduced absenteeism and
labour turnover
•• The concept of human needs, e.g. Maslow’s
hierarchy
•• Key motivational theories: Taylor and Herzberg
2.1.2Methods of motivation:
•• Financial rewards, e.g. wage, salary, bonus,
commission and profit sharing
•• Non-financial methods, e.g. job enrichment, job
rotation, teamworking, training, opportunities for
promotion
•• Recommend and justify appropriate method(s) of
motivation in given circumstances
2.2
Organisation and management
2.2.1Draw, interpret and understand simple
organisational charts:
•• Simple hierarchical structures: span of control,
levels of hierarchy, chain of command
•• Roles and responsibilities of directors, managers,
supervisors, other employees in an organisation
and inter-relationships between them
2.2.2The role of management:
•• Functions of management, e.g. planning,
organising, coordinating, commanding and
controlling
•• Importance of delegation; trust versus control
2.2.3Leadership styles:
•• Features of the main leadership styles,
e.g. autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate leadership
style in given circumstances
2.2.4Trade unions:
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•• What a trade union is and the effects of
employees being union members
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
2.3
Recruitment, selection and training of employees
2.3.1Recruitment and selecting employees:
•• Recruitment and selection methods
•• Difference between internal recruitment and
external recruitment
•• Main stages in recruitment and selection of
employees
•• Recommend and justify who to employ in given
circumstances
•• Benefits and limitations of part-time employees
and full-time employees
2.3.2The importance of training and the methods of
training:
•• Importance of training to a business and to
employees
•• Benefits and limitations of induction training,
on-the-job training and off-the-job training
2.3.3Why reducing the size of the workforce might
be necessary:
•• Difference between dismissal and redundancy
with examples
•• Understand situations in which downsizing the
workforce might be necessary, e.g. automation or
reduced demand for products
•• Recommend and justify which employees to
make redundant in given circumstances
2.3.4Legal controls over employment issues and
their impact on employers and employees:
2.4
•• Legal controls over employment contracts, unfair
dismissal, discrimination, health and safety, legal
minimum wage
Internal and external communication
2.4.1Why effective communication is important and
the methods used to achieve it:
•• Effective communication and its importance to
business
•• Benefits and limitations of different
communication methods including those based
on information technology (IT)
•• Recommend and justify which communication
method to use in given circumstances
2.4.2Demonstrate an awareness of communication
barriers:
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•• How communication barriers arise and
problems of ineffective communication; how
communication barriers can be reduced or
removed
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
3
Marketing
3.1
Marketing, competition and the customer
3.1.1The role of marketing:
•• Identifying customer needs
•• Satisfying customer needs
•• Maintaining customer loyalty
•• Building customer relationships
3.1.2Market changes:
•• Why customer/consumer spending patterns may
change
•• The importance of changing customer needs
•• Why some markets have become more
competitive
•• How businesses can respond to changing
spending patterns and increased competition
3.1.3Concepts of niche marketing and mass
marketing:
•• Benefits and limitations of both approaches to
marketing
3.1.4How and why market segmentation is
undertaken:
•• How markets can be segmented, e.g. according
to age, socio-economic grouping, location,
gender
•• Potential benefits of segmentation to business
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate method
of segmentation in given circumstances
3.2
Market research
3.2.1The role of market research and methods used:
•• Market-orientated businesses (uses of market
research information to a business)
•• Primary research and secondary research
(benefits and limitations of each)
•• Methods of primary research, e.g. postal
questionnaire, online survey, interviews, focus
groups
•• The need for sampling
•• Methods of secondary research, e.g. online,
accessing government sources, paying for
commercial market research reports
•• Factors influencing the accuracy of market
research data
3.2.2Presentation and use of market research
results:
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•• Analyse market research data shown in the form
of graphs, charts and diagrams; draw simple
conclusions from such data
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
3.3
Marketing mix
3.3.1Product:
•• The costs and benefits of developing new
products
•• Brand image; impact on sales and customer
loyalty
•• The role of packaging
•• The product life cycle: main stages and extension
strategies; draw and interpret a product life cycle
diagram
•• How stages of the product life cycle can influence
marketing decisions, e.g. promotion and pricing
decisions
3.3.2Price:
•• Pricing methods (benefits and limitations of
different methods), e.g. cost plus, competitive,
penetration, skimming, and promotional
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate pricing
method in given circumstances
•• Understand the significance of price elasticity:
difference between price elastic demand and
price inelastic demand; importance of the
concept in pricing decisions (knowledge of
the formula and calculations of PED will not be
assessed)
3.3.3Place – distribution channels:
•• Advantages and disadvantages of different
channels, e.g. use of wholesalers, retailers or
direct to consumers
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate
distribution channel in given circumstances
3.3.4Promotion:
•• The aims of promotion
•• Different forms of promotion and how they
influence sales, e.g. advertising, sales promotion
•• The need for cost-effectiveness in spending the
marketing budget on promotion
3.3.5Technology and the marketing mix:
•• Define and explain the concept of e-commerce
•• The opportunities and threats of e-commerce to
business and consumers
•• Use of the internet and social media networks for
promotion
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
3.4
Marketing strategy
3.4.1Justify marketing strategies appropriate to a
given situation:
•• Importance of different elements of the
marketing mix in influencing consumer decisions
in given circumstances
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate marketing
strategy in given circumstances
3.4.2The nature and impact of legal controls related
to marketing:
•• Impact of legal controls on marketing strategy,
e.g. misleading promotion, faulty and dangerous
goods
3.4.3The opportunities and problems of entering
new foreign markets:
•• Growth potential of new markets in other
countries
•• Problems of entering foreign markets,
e.g. cultural differences and lack of knowledge
•• Benefits and limitations of methods to overcome
such problems, e.g. joint ventures, licensing
4
Operations management
4.1
Production of goods and services
4.1.1The meaning of production:
•• Managing resources effectively to produce goods
and services
•• Difference between production and productivity
•• Benefits of increasing efficiency and how to
increase it, e.g. increasing productivity by
automation and technology, improved labour
skills
•• Why businesses hold inventories
•• The concept of lean production: how to achieve
it, e.g. just-in-time inventory control and Kaizen;
benefits of lean production
4.1.2The main methods of production:
•• Features, benefits and limitations of job, batch
and flow production
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate
production method for a given situation
4.1.3How technology has changed production
methods, e.g. using computers in design and
manufacturing
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
4.2
Costs, scale of production and break-even analysis
4.2.1Identify and classify costs:
•• Classifying costs using examples, e.g. fixed,
variable, average, total
•• Use cost data to help make simple cost-based
decisions, e.g. to stop production or continue
4.2.2Economics and diseconomies of scale:
•• The concept of economies of scale with
examples, e.g. purchasing, marketing, financial,
managerial, technical
•• The concept of diseconomies of scale with
examples, e.g. poor communication, lack of
commitment from employees, weak coordination
4.2.3Break-even analysis:
•• The concept of break-even
•• Construct, complete or amend a simple
break-even chart
•• Interpret a given chart and use it to analyse a
situation
•• Calculate break-even output from given data
•• Define, calculate and interpret the margin of
safety
•• Use break-even analysis to help make simple
decisions, e.g. impact of higher price
•• Understand the limitations of break-even analysis
4.3
Achieving quality production
4.3.1Why quality is important and how quality
production might be achieved:
•• What quality means and why it is important for
all businesses
•• The concept of quality control and how
businesses implement quality control
•• The concept of quality assurance and how this
can be implemented
4.4 Location decisions
4.4.1The main factors influencing the location and
relocation decisions of a business:
•• Factors relevant to the location decision of
manufacturing businesses and service businesses
•• Factors that a business could consider when
deciding which country to locate operations in
•• The role of legal controls on location decisions
•• Recommend and justify an appropriate location
for a business in given circumstances
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
5
Financial information and decisions
5.1
Business finance: needs and sources
5.1.1The need for business finance:
•• The main reasons why businesses need finance,
e.g. start-up capital, capital for expansion and
additional working capital
•• Understand the difference between short-term
and long-term finance needs
5.1.2The main sources of finance:
•• Internal sources and external sources with
examples
•• Short-term and long-term sources with
examples, e.g. overdraft for short-term finance
and debt or equity for long-term finance
•• Importance of alternative sources of capital,
e.g. micro-finance, crowd-funding
•• The main factors considered in making the
financial choice, e.g. size and legal form of
business, amount required, length of time,
existing loans
•• Recommend and justify appropriate source(s) of
finance in given circumstances
5.2
Cash-flow forecasting and working capital
5.2.1The importance of cash and of cash-flow
forecasting:
•• Why cash is important to a business
•• What a cash-flow forecast is, how a simple one is
constructed and the importance of it
•• Amend or complete a simple cash-flow forecast
•• How to interpret a simple cash-flow forecast
•• How a short-term cash-flow problem might
be overcome, e.g. increasing loans, delaying
payments, asking debtors to pay more quickly
5.2.2Working capital:
5.3
•• The concept and importance of working capital
Income statements
5.3.1What profit is and why it is important:
•• How a profit is made
•• Importance of profit to private sector businesses,
e.g. reward for risk-taking/enterprise, source of
finance
•• Difference between profit and cash
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
5.3.2Income statements:
•• Main features of an income statement,
e.g. revenue, cost of sales, gross profit, profit and
retained profit
•• Use simple income statements in decisionmaking based on profit calculations (constructing
income statements will not be assessed)
5.4
Statement of financial position
5.4.1The main elements of a statement of financial
position:
•• The main classifications of assets and liabilities,
using examples
5.4.2Interpret a simple statement of financial
position and make deductions from it,
e.g. how a business is financing its activities and
what assets it owns, sale of inventories to raise
finance (constructing statements of financial
position will not be assessed)
5.5
Analysis of accounts
5.5.1Profitability:
•• The concept and importance of profitability
5.5.2Liquidity:
•• The concept and importance of liquidity
5.5.3How to interpret the financial performance
of a business by calculating and analysing
profitability ratios and liquidity ratios:
•• Gross profit margin
•• Profit margin
•• Return on Capital Employed
•• Current ratio
•• Acid test ratio
5.5.4Why and how accounts are used:
•• Needs of different users of accounts and ratio
analysis
•• How users of accounts and ratio results might
use information to help make decisions, e.g.
whether to lend to or invest in the business
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
6
External influences on business activity
6.1
Economic issues
6.1.1Business cycle:
•• Main stages of the business cycle, e.g. growth,
boom, recession, slump
•• Impact on businesses of changes in employment
levels, inflation and Gross Domestic Product
(GDP)
6.1.2How government control over the economy
affects business activity and how businesses
may respond:
•• Identify government economic objectives,
e.g. increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
•• Impact of changes in taxes and government
spending
•• Impact of changes in interest rates
•• How businesses might respond to these changes
6.2
Environmental and ethical issues
6.2.1Environmental concerns and ethical issues
as both opportunities and constraints for
businesses:
•• How business activity can impact on the
environment, e.g. global warming
•• The concept of externalities: possible external
costs and external benefits of business decisions
•• Sustainable development; how business activity
can contribute to this
•• How and why business might respond to
environmental pressures and opportunities,
e.g. pressure groups
•• The role of legal controls over business activity
affecting the environment, e.g. pollution controls
•• Ethical issues a business might face: conflicts
between profits and ethics
•• How business might react and respond to ethical
issues, e.g. child labour
6.3
Business and the international economy
6.3.1The importance of globalisation:
•• The concept of globalisation and the reasons for
it
•• Opportunities and threats of globalisation for
businesses
•• Why governments might introduce import tariffs
and import quotas
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Subject content
6.3.2Reasons for the importance and growth of
multinational companies (MNCs):
•• Benefits to a business of becoming a
multinational and the impact on its stakeholders
•• Potential benefits to a country and/or economy
where a MNC is located, e.g. jobs, exports,
increased choice, investment
•• Potential drawbacks to a country and/or
economy where a MNC is located, e.g. reduced
sales of local businesses, repatriation of profits
6.3.3The impact of exchange rate changes:
•• Depreciation and appreciation of an exchange
rate
•• How exchange rate changes can affect businesses
as importers and exporters of products,
e.g. prices, competitiveness, profitability
(exchange rate calculations will not be assessed)
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
4 Details of the assessment
Paper 1 – Short Answer and Data Response
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks
The question paper comprises four questions requiring a mixture of short answers and structured data responses.
The paper assesses content drawn from the entire syllabus.
Each question is introduced by stimulus material. For some questions candidates will need to refer to the stimulus
material in their answers. The stimulus material may include tables, graphs and images.
Candidates answer all questions.
Candidates should be aware of the marks for each part question. These are printed on the question paper.
Candidates should use them as a guide to the amount of detail and length of response expected and to help them
manage their time effectively.
Candidates write their answers on the question paper.
The paper assesses the following assessment objectives:
AO1: Knowledge and understanding
AO2: Application
AO3: Analysis
AO4: Evaluation
Paper 2 – Case Study
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks
The question paper comprises four questions based on a case study, provided as an insert with the paper. The case
study includes appendices with data presented in a variety of forms, such as tables, graphs, newspaper extracts and
advertisements.
The paper assesses content drawn from the entire syllabus.
Candidates answer all questions.
Candidates should be aware of the marks for each part question. These are printed on the question paper.
Candidates should use them as a guide to the amount of detail and length of response expected and to help them
manage their time effectively.
Candidates write their answers on the question paper.
The paper assesses the following assessment objectives:
AO1: Knowledge and understanding
AO2: Application
AO3: Analysis
AO4: Evaluation
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Details of the assessment
Command words
The table below includes command words used in the assessment for this syllabus. The use of the command word
will relate to the subject context.
Command word
What it means
Calculate
work out from given facts, figures or information
Consider
review and respond to given information
Define
give precise meaning
Explain
set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things evident / provide why
and/or how and support with relevant evidence
Identify
name/select/recognise
Justify
support a case with evidence/argument
Outline
set out main points
State
express in clear terms
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
5 What else you need to know
This section is an overview of other information you need to know about this syllabus. It will help to share the
administrative information with your exams officer so they know when you will need their support. Find more
information about our administrative processes at www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers
Before you start
Previous study
We do not expect learners starting this course to have previously studied business studies.
Guided learning hours
We design Cambridge O Level syllabuses based on learners having about 130 guided learning hours for each subject
during the course but this is for guidance only. The number of hours a learner needs to achieve the qualification
may vary according to local practice and their previous experience of the subject.
Availability and timetables
You can enter candidates in the June and November exam series. You can view the timetable for your
administrative zone at www.cambridgeinternational.org/timetables
Cambridge O Levels are available to centres in Administrative Zones 3, 4 and 5. Centres in Administrative Zones
1, 2 or 6 wishing to enter candidates for Cambridge O Level examinations should contact Cambridge International
Customer Services.
Private candidates can enter for this syllabus.
Combining with other syllabuses
Candidates can take this syllabus alongside other Cambridge International syllabuses in a single exam series. The
only exceptions are:
•• Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Business Studies (0986)
•• Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)
•• syllabuses with the same title at the same level.
Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) syllabuses are at the same level.
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. What else you need to know
Making entries
Exams officers are responsible for submitting entries to Cambridge International. We encourage them to work
closely with you to make sure they enter the right number of candidates for the right combination of syllabus
components. Entry option codes and instructions for submitting entries are in the Cambridge Guide to Making
Entries. Your exams officer has a copy of this guide.
Exam administration
To keep our exams secure, we produce question papers for different areas of the world, known as ‘administrative
zones’. We allocate all Cambridge schools to one administrative zone determined by their location. Each zone has
a specific timetable. Some of our syllabuses offer candidates different assessment options. An entry option code
is used to identify the components the candidate will take relevant to the administrative zone and the available
assessment options.
Support for exams officers
We know how important exams officers are to the successful running of exams. We provide them with the support
they need to make your entries on time. Your exams officer will find this support, and guidance for all other phases
of the Cambridge Exams Cycle, at www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers
Retakes
Candidates can retake the whole qualification as many times as they want to. This is a linear qualification so
candidates cannot re-sit individual components.
Equality and inclusion
We have taken great care to avoid bias of any kind in the preparation of this syllabus and related assessment
materials. In compliance with the UK Equality Act (2010) we have designed this qualification to avoid any direct
and indirect discrimination.
The standard assessment arrangements may present unnecessary barriers for candidates with disabilities or learning
difficulties. We can put arrangements in place for these candidates to enable them to access the assessments and
receive recognition of their attainment. We do not agree access arrangements if they give candidates an unfair
advantage over others or if they compromise the standards being assessed.
Candidates who cannot access the assessment of any component may be able to receive an award based on the
parts of the assessment they have completed.
Information on access arrangements is in the Cambridge Handbook at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers
Language
This syllabus and the related assessment materials are available in English only.
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. What else you need to know
After the exam
Grading and reporting
Grades A*, A, B, C, D or E indicate the standard a candidate achieved at Cambridge O Level.
A* is the highest and E is the lowest. ‘Ungraded’ means that the candidate’s performance did not meet the
standard required for grade E. ‘Ungraded’ is reported on the statement of results but not on the certificate. In
specific circumstances your candidates may see one of the following letters on their statement of results:
•• Q (result pending)
•• X (no result)
•• Y (to be issued)
These letters do not appear on the certificate.
How students and teachers can use the grades
Assessment at Cambridge O Level has two purposes.
•• To measure learning and achievement.
The assessment:
–– confirms achievement and performance in relation to the knowledge, understanding and skills specified in
the syllabus, to the levels described in the grade descriptions.
•• To show likely future success.
The outcomes:
–– help predict which students are well prepared for a particular course or career and/or which students are
more likely to be successful
–– help students choose the most suitable course or career.
Grade descriptions
Grade descriptions are provided to give an indication of the standards of achievement candidates awarded
particular grades are likely to show. Weakness in one aspect of the examination may be balanced by a better
performance in some other aspect.
Grade descriptions for Cambridge O Level Business Studies will be published after the first assessment of the
O Level in 2020. Find more information at www.cambridgeinternational.org/olevel
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Cambridge O Level Business Studies 7115 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. What else you need to know
Changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022
This syllabus has been updated. The latest syllabus is version 3, published December 2019.
The syllabus has been reviewed and revised for first examination in 2020.
Changes to assessment
(including changes to specimen
papers)
Changes to version 3 of the syllabus
•• We have updated the 7115/01 specimen mark scheme for examination
from 2020. We have improved clarity of answers and included
possible justifications candidates may give in their responses to
questions 1(e) and question 2(e)
Changes to version 1 of the syllabus, published September 2017
•• The assessment objective (AO) weightings have been reviewed and
updated in response to feedback from teachers.
•• The AO descriptors have not changed.
•• Specimen Paper 1 has been updated to include ‘define’ as a command
word.
•• The specimen mark scheme for the part (b) questions in Paper 2 has
been updated so the AO2 application marks are integrated into the
levels of response marking grid.
•• Question paper titles have been updated.
Paper 1: Short Answer and Data Response
Paper 2: Case Study
Changes to syllabus content
Changes to version 2 of the syllabus, published October 2017
•• The information on page 19, Section 5.5 Analysis of accounts has been
updated. The heading in 5.5.1 now reads ‘Profitability’.
Changes to version 1 of the syllabus, published September 2017
•• The syllabus content has been reworded for clarity and to provide
further guidance to teachers.
•• The syllabus content has been represented in a two-column format to
make it clearer.
•• The international accounting terminology has been updated. Balance
sheet has been replaced with statement of financial position.
•• A list of command words has been added to the syllabus.
Significant changes to the syllabus are indicated by black vertical lines either side of the text.
In addition to reading the syllabus, teachers should refer to the updated specimen assessment materials.
The syllabus and specimen papers use our new name, Cambridge Assessment International Education.
You are strongly advised to read the whole syllabus before planning your teaching programme.
Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2015 or 2020 are suitable for
use with this syllabus.
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